William F. Thiel Grants

Background

William Thiel was a long-time philanthropist in the Wyoming County area. His generosity through monetary gifts to the hospital, fire departments and other community organizations in Wyoming County was well known. He also left a significant legacy to the County through the creation of the William F. Thiel Trust, a fund held by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

The fund document of the William F. Thiel Trust states that distributions "from this gift shall be used and applied by the Governing Committee of The Buffalo Foundation (now the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo) for the use and benefit of the health requirements of the residents of Wyoming County, New York.”

Thiel Roundtable Members

Project Focus

2018-2022: Wyoming County Health Needs Assessment Updates
In 2006, the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo implemented its first strategic plan. As a part of the plan, the Community Foundation made the decision to put a concerted effort behind the Thiel Trust, commissioning the first Wyoming County Health Needs Assessment. Using general trends in national rural healthcare, the assessment included a survey of local healthcare experts, governmental agencies, providers and the general public to determine the highest needs of the county. The Health Needs Assessment was refreshed in 2012. This focused effort has resulted in Thiel funding touching one on three lives in the county and the disbursal of almost $3 million over the last ten years.

The Community Foundation also solicited input from the Thiel Roundtable which is comprised of Wyoming County health providers and experts who reviewed the Thiel reporting and have extensive knowledge of the current healthcare landscape.

2018-2022 Thiel Trust Funding Priorities
As a result of the data and feedback from the reports, and with the guidance of Thiel Roundtable members, the Community Foundation has chosen the funding priorities for the next five years.